Redlands grandfather wins big on 'The Price Is Right'

REDLANDS -- Grandfather Maurice Meyers had no idea that attending a taping of "The Price is Right" in September with his grandson would have him coming out as a Double Showcase Winner.

The Redlands resident was invited to attend the taping at the request of his grandson, Kyle Leahy of Simi Valley, that was themed around saluting grandparents.

Partnered, Leahy and Meyers became the first contestants to be called up to "Contestants Row," and the first to meet host Drew Carey on the main stage.

Leahy had been a fan of the CBS game show for several years, but Meyers - not so much.

But prior to attending the taping, Meyers took a crash course on the show, watching a few episodes before the Sept. 5 taping.

"I never bothered with it, but it was `Grandparents' Day' and my grandson Kyle called and said, `Poppa, would you like to do `The Price is Right' with me?' And whenever Kyle calls, I usually respond with a `Sure. Absolutely. Now, what do I wear?'," Meyers said.

Meyers, along with his wife, Ellie, and daughter Nancy attended the taping.

Once they arrived at the studio, they were ushered into Disneyland-like lines waiting to speak with show producers, Meyers said.

Inside, they were interviewed by show producers and ushered into the studio.

The foursome were located way in the back of the studio. Never did the duo think they would be center stage minutes later.

"When we were called first, I told Kyle, `You know the prices better than I.' I'm guessing the prices and I'm way off, so I told Kyle that this was his baby," Meyers said. "I'll just go and have fun."

The first game, after correctly guessing the closest price of a digital camera while on Contestants Row, was "The Bargain Price" game where both men had to determine which was the better price given for two trips - one to New Orleans and the other to New Mexico.

They won.

The next step was spinning the wheel to see which team would take one of two spots during the Showcase Showdown portion of the game.

The duo spun 85, which secured a seat in the final game.

A few minutes later, they stood behind a podium waiting for Carey to announce what items they would be able to bid on during the showdown.

After Carey announced the first set of prizes, both Meyers and Leahy passed to the other contestants, who made their bid.

The second showcase included a new car, a cruise, a trip to Las Vegas and a karaoke machine. That was a bit more enticing for the two.

"We had two prices (in mind), and this was the only time I contributed," Meyers said. "Kyle asked me, `Poppa, What do you think?' I told him I liked the first price better."

After Carey announced the correct price for the showcase Meyers and Leahy bid on, they discovered their guess was within $250 of the actual retail price. That meant the two won both showcases, and double the prizes.

"It was incredible. It was absolutely incredible," Meyers said. "Nancy and Ellie were in the back jumping up and down, and Ellie said later her hands were so sore."

Meyers said that everyone in the section where they were seated was cheering the duo on - giving high-fives to his wife and daughter each time they were on stage.

The episode featuring Meyers and Leahy aired Dec. 5, but the two are still determining who will get what.

Meyers already knows that his grandson will get the new car they had won, which will replace his "old, beat-up truck," he said.

"The car is a great prize," Leahy said, adding that the taping went by fast. "We went to Contestants Row and the next thing we're on stage. It happened very quickly."

Meyers and Leahy will take the trips they won separately. Leahy will go with his girlfriend, while Meyers will travel with his wife.

Either way, the two enjoyed their time on the show.

"It was more than exciting," Leahy said. "It was unbelievable actually."